ART, MIND, LANGUAGE

The course explores the relationships between art, mind and language in modern and contemporary philosophy, with a focus on the relationship between anthropology and philosophy. The expressive properties of different linguistic codes are examined through a comparison of styles of reasoning, methods and objectives of several disciplines: philosophy of mind, philosophy of perceprion, epistemology, history and theory of art. The course is part of the Master of Philosophy degree and is included in the 'Institutions of Philosophy' as a characterising activity. From 2025/2026 it is part of the curriculum of the degree course in Cultural Anthropology, Ethnology, Ethnoliguistics. Due to its interdisciplinary nature, it is also open to other degree courses, addressing in particular all students interested in an analysis of the languages of the arts in a context of seminar-based and experimental philosophical discussion.

The student, on successful completion of this module, will be able to:

1. critically engage with philosophical arguments, criticizing and organizing arguments [knowledge and understanding]
2. apply philosophical concepts to artistic issues [applying knowledge and understanding]
3. distinguish dimensions relevant to their own specialties [making judgments]
4. autonomously elaborate and present personal research [communication skills]

The course is designed for students in whom artistic, philosophical, anthropological interests are interrelated, with a good basic knowledge in the history and theory of the arts. Additional and supplementary materials will be made available online on the course's moodle space. For those who do not come from a philosophy degree, tools to refine their philosophical knowledge will be recommended and provided. In particular, tools will be provided to refine one's philosophical knowledge and master research methodology.
Students may contact the lecturer (cecilia.rofena@unive.com) prior to the start of the course to discuss the structure and preparation, resolving doubts and needs in advance in order to choose the course that best suits their interests and goals, also considering the commitment to study and activity presupposed by the seminar nature of the course.

Course title:
'Representation and Expression'

By comparing figurative, performing, literary and musical works of art and philosophical theories concerning art, mind and language, the course addresses three objects of contemporary philosophical debate: representation, expression, make believe, in relation to the issue of experience.

- L. Wittgenstein, «Osservazioni sul Ramo d'oro di Frazer», Adelphi
- L. Wittgenstein, «Lezioni sull’estetica, l’etica e la credenza religiosa», Adelphi
- L. Wittgenstein, « Causa ed effetto. Lezioni sulla libertà del volere», Einaudi
- L. Wittgenstein, «Ultimi scritti sulla filosofia della psicologia», Laterza (a selection)
- C. Geertz, Antropologia e filosofia, il Mulino

- For an introduction to the course topics:

- C. Rofena «Etica morfologica ed estetica antropologica. Wittgenstein e l'errore di Frazer», Mimesis
- C. Rofena, «A prima vista. Logiche del racconto e del disegno», Castelvecchi
- Manuals and introductory readings can be found in the course moodle space.

N.B.:
- The contents may be updated with subsequent changes and variations: the final Syllabus will be available before the start of the lessons and the moodle space will contain all the updated informations, for which consultation and follow-ups are recommended.

Method of final evaluation:
written examination based on texts considered during the course.
The examination consists of a written task consisting of three questions: the answers must be articulated and argued, according to a clear illustration of the explanation needed to provide, in a correct and coherent manner, the necessary justification together with the best organisation of the knowledge considered relevant. The assignment takes four hours.

written

17: FAIL
18-20: PASS
The essential topics and content of the course have been acquired; the ability to articulate the fundamental issues of the course is essential. There is a lack of confident and articulate elaboration of the proposed topics and a complete mastery of the theoretical assumptions.
21-23: SATISFACTORY
Knowledge of the content is adequate, although not in-depth, and the vocabulary is appropriate, although not articulated through independent critical reflection. Expression and vocabulary can be improved to achieve complete argumentative ability.
24-26 GOOD
Knowledge and understanding of the content is confident, precise and competent. There are no errors or shortcomings in preparation and argumentative choices. The answers are adequately resolved with respect to the fundamental issues of the course.
27-28 VERY GOOD
The content and issues of the course are addressed with confidence in knowledge, elaborating the main issues of the course in a confident and independent manner, with personal insights. The vocabulary is clear and adequate. Knowledge is comprehensive and interdisciplinary connections are confident.
29-30 EXCELLENT
The understanding demonstrates a thorough knowledge of the content in its complexity, through a confident interdisciplinary awareness, with independent conceptual articulation, comparative skills and analysis consistent with the content. The preparation is complete and extensive, and all knowledge is achieved with complete mastery.
30 CUM LAUDE EXCELLENT
The competence acquired is expressed in a highly relevant manner, according to connections and comparisons that demonstrate, together with a confident command of knowledge, a quality of analysis that is particularly thorough and relevant to the issues addressed. Critical awareness demonstrates independent research work with a deeply mature and conscious logical and argumentative rigour.

Method of instruction: the main teaching methods of the course are the lecture and the lecture-discussion. Every student will be encouraged to participate in the discussion of the materials planning individual or small group seminars, in which new texts will be presented and discussed in relation to the course readings. Lectures may be supplemented by external seminars. It is essential to regularly consult the moodle space, which is constantly updated and where various forms of material can be found (including recorded lectures, also from previous years, as support for preparation and personal study). The seminar, which is presented and discussed during the last two weeks of the course, is designed with the guidance of the lecturer at the beginning of the lectures.

- For those who choose not to attend the course, an interview with the lecturer is recommended at the beginning of the course and no later than one month before the chosen exam call; it is also advisable to use the moodle space for the introductory materials that will be made available to accompany the exam preparation with the analysis and commentary of the texts in the syllabus.
- For problems with disabilities or specific learning disorders, students may contact the Disability and DSA office: disabilita@unive.it

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Human capital, health, education" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development